"Matohota is a great fighter," Sun Bird told White Otter.
"Imutanka is quick, he will fool Matohota," replied White Otter.
A moment later his prophecy was fulfilled. The lion had crouched to spring, and Matohota reared to protect himself. Then Imutanka sprang far to one side, and as Matohota dropped Imutanka was directly behind him. Before Matohota could turn the lion was upon his back. Its great claws tore down through the thick, shaggy coat, and ripped great gashes in his flesh and its flashing fangs sank deep into the back of his neck. Quick to understand his peril, Matohota threw himself and attempted to roll over upon his back. Failing in his efforts to dislodge the lion, Matohota rose upon his hind legs and fell over backward to crush the lion beneath his great bulk. Imutanka was too cunning to be caught. Releasing his hold he sprang away, and as Matohota crashed to the ground the lion jumped for his throat. Matohota caught him in a crushing embrace, and the fight became deadly. Rolling wildly over the ground the ferocious beasts bit and tore each other until it seemed that neither could survive the encounter.
The Sioux looked on with glistening eyes. The savage duel had roused their own hot fighting blood and they were eager to enter the fray.
"Come, we will kill both of them," cried Sun Bird, as he fitted an arrow to his bow.
"Wait, wait," urged White Otter. "We will see who is the greatest warrior."
They watched, therefore, while the fight raged with unabated fury. At last the superior strength of the great Matohota gave him the victory. The lion broke free and sprang from the range of his deadly paws. It crouched and faced him for a moment, and then as he reared to defend himself, Imutanka weakened and turned to slink away into the night.
"Come!" cried Sun Bird, as he rose to his feet.
Two arrows pierced the heart of fierce Imutanka and he fell dead in his tracks. Matohota whirled about at the sharp twang of the bowstrings, and roared defiance at the two figures on the edge of the moonlight. Then as he rushed forward to destroy them in his wrath, he, too, collapsed from the shock of two burning arrows in his great hairy chest. The next moment he rose to his feet and reared unsteadily to repeat the tactics which had proved successful against fierce Imutanka. This time, however, it was a fatal error, for the Sioux drove their arrows through his heart and great Matohota crashed headlong into the grass and followed Imutanka on the Long Trail.
"Hi, we have done a big thing," Sun Bird cried, excitedly, as he rushed into the park to examine the trophies.